Sky+ through PC/Monitor

[guitarbloke]

Hi guys,

I really hope someone here can help me!

My girlfriend and I are moving to a smaller place soon and basically downsizing as much as possible.

We would like to use our PC monitor as a TV by connecting it to our Sky+ HD box. will this work? The monitor has DVI connectors - can I simply get a DVI->HDMI adaptor and plug the Sky box straight in?

If so, do you know how I will get audio? I'm assuming part of the Sky box also needs to be connected to the PC for sound since the monitor has no built-in speakers? I'm using the onboard sound, so don't have any fancy connectors, but am using a 5.1 setup - which up until now has only been used for gaming and watching the occassional DVD on the PC.

Thi is what I had in mind - phono (red and white) to jack connector from the anaolgue audio sockets on the Sky box into the headphone socket on my PC's onboard soundcard. Then HDMI cable from the SKy box to the monitor by way of a HDMI->DVI adaptor.

My monitor is a Samsung SyncMaster SM223bw, however we won't be watching anything in HD so I'm guessing this will be ok?

I assume then, all I need to do is switch on the Sky box with the remote and it will then automatically switch from my PC desktop to the Sky TV screen?

Sorry to sound a bit dumb, but I'm not really very clued up on this kind of stuff.

 

[Grangey.]

picture will work yes, sound though will be tricky as youd have to tell your pc to switch to sky sound outputting when audio is detected. how you would do this i dont know.

 

[cram]

Do you have an amp? In which case take the optical out from your Sky box into your amp

 

[guitarbloke]

Hi guys,

No I don't have an amp unfortunately.

Is this possible - Could I just ignore the PC completely and simply hook the monitor to the Sky box using the HDMI->DVI adaptor and then for the audio, use a jack to phono cable to put the 2 front speakers of my 5.1 PC setup (the speakers on that 5.1 system only have the little 3.5mm jack plugs as they normally go direct into my PC) into the analogue audio sockets (red & white phono sockets) on the rear of the Sky box?

Or am I thinking about this all wrong?

 

[Grangey.]

your thinking it all wrong and im afraid that is not a suitable solution.

You either need to change your monitor to a tv with a pc input, or a minitor with speakers.

Or you need to get an amp.

Either way it will involve money im afraid.

There may be a 3rd method which will inolve changine your speakers to a set that also has a phono input but one way or another you need to spend cash im afraid..

 

[cram]

where are you controlling the volume of the speakers? on teh speakers themselves or in windows. Are the speakers plugged directly into the PC or into some sort of breakout box that is in turn plugged into the PC

 

[guitarbloke]

where are you controlling the volume of the speakers? on teh speakers themselves or in windows

Currently from the speakers themselves - one of the front speakers has a volume control. I intended to use the same method with the Sky box.

So in your opinion, what's the cheapest option I have available? I don't mind spending a little, but it's a bad time of year to be splashing large amounts unfortunately

 

[Grangey.]

i personally would put a wanted thread in the av reciever classifieds. all you need is a basic receiver and im sure alot of people have old non hd ready ones kicking around that they would flog for about £50-£100 top.

otherwise you may be able to get some other pc speakers that also have a phono input and this would be ideal

 

[cram]

Currently from the speakers themselves - one of the front speakers has a volume control. I intended to use the same method with the Sky box.

Actually you maybe able to do it. The speaker having the volume control implies it has some level of built in amplication. Before making any purchase I would give that a go.

 

[Grangey.]

examples
http://www.avforums.com/forums/13415573-post19.html
http://www.avforums.com/forums/ampl...-sale-sony-ta-ve170-5-1-channel-amp-free.html
http://www.avforums.com/forums/ampl...012-wanted-5-1-reciever-approx-50-budget.html

 

[Grangey.]

althought the one flaw in my theory actually is that you would need speakers.. you would probably be able to just cut your current speakers and attach them to the amp but i still think there could be a better way.

what model is your speaker package?

 

[cram]

he'd also have to buy speakers as I doubt his can be plugged into an AV amp from what he describes. I think he can do what he wants without making a purchase.

 

[guitarbloke]

Thanks guys, that's really helpful info!

So you don't believe that plugging the speakers into the phono sockets using a jack-phono cable will work?

My speaker package is a Logitech X-530 - I know it's probably not cut out for home cinema, it was always just intended for gaming but as we're moving into my girlfriend's parent's place for a few months, we're downsizing everything to fit into 1 small bedroom, so the PC speakers and monitor will have to double as TV speakers and screen

 

[cram]

So you don't believe that plugging the speakers into the phono sockets using a jack-phono cable will work?

yes because they are active speakers

 

[guitarbloke]

So, just so that I have this clear in my head before I proceed.

• The Logitech 5.1 system I have is 'active' so I can't hook it to the Sky box in any way whatsoever - therefore is essentially now redundant.

• I will need to buy an amp AND new speakers to watch Sky TV in the bedroom on the monitor? (That's going to be a problem as we are pushed for space as it is, let alone finding room for an amp now as well).

• The speakers I buy MUST have phono connecters and not be 'active'

• When you say my current speakers are active, is that a reference to them having their own volume control? (I'm so sorry to ask these questions, I just want to be sure that I don't waste any money on stuff I don't need - as you can see I really am new to all this stuff!)

We're not fussed about having a home cinema experience here, we just want to be able to watch The Apprentice and a few other silly shows whilst sitting on the bed.

 

[cram]

No that's not what I'm saying. I believe with the correct adapter you will be able to plug your speakers into the phono sockets of your Sky box.

 

[guitarbloke]

No that's not what I'm saying. I believe with the correct adapter you will be able to plug your speakers into the phono sockets of your Sky box.

Oh excellent! Thanks Cram, I'll give it a shot once we move in over there! I've already got the adaptors and cables so fingers crossed it'll all work

And thanks Grangey as well for your input too

Much appreciated guys!

 

[Grangey.]

quick question, how do your speakers connect to your pc currently. Do they all connect to one box and it is that box that connects to the pc via 1 mini jack?

If so... and even simpler method would be getting a male phono to female jack lead (like this eBay.com.sg: 3.5mm 1/8 stereo female mini jack to 2 male RCA adapter (item 250555549921 end time Nov 25, 2010 04:10:49 SGT)), then all you would need to do is unplug your speakers from the pc and plug them into the femail jack leading going to the sky box.

Or even better (although not 100% if this will work or blow something up) but assuming the above is correct, could infact get phono to male minijack adapter for the sky box, and then male minijack to male minijack cable for the pc, plug them both into a minijack switcher, and have your speakers as the output of the switcher. This would save you chaning cables all the time and instead you could just flick a switch. something like this Amazon.com: Cables To Go 52065 Audio Crossplay (Black): Electronics: Reviews, Prices & more

(sorry all my links seem to be in the states for some reason!)

 

[guitarbloke]

Thanks Grangey,

They connect like this:

All the speakers plug into the sub, and then from the front right speaker is a cable which has 3 jack connectors at the end of it - green, black and orange - these 3 jacks plug into the corresponding coloured sockets on my PC.

If I recall correctly, the green one on it's own will give me sound from the 2 front speakers, so I'll try that with the jack-phono lead first.

The switch idea sounds good, but these days I mostly game with my headphones on, so I'm happy for the speakers to be used soley for the TV

 

[cram]

The green one is a stereo pair. You need a female stero 3.5 jack to two male phono

 

[guitarbloke]

The green one is a stereo pair. You need a female stero 3.5 jack to two male phono

Great! I bought this earlier this morning:

3.5MM STEREO JACK FEMALE TO 2X RCA PHONO MALE ADAPTER on eBay (end time 18-Dec-10 11:01:18 GMT)

Looks like I got the right one!

 

[cram]

Yep that should work